Siftables blocks coming soon, sure to impress

A foray into the domain of children’s toys is often a wince-inducing experience. Toys have become so loud, so annoying to the average adult. that one cowers in fear over the idea that a generation of toddlers fed with vapid, beeping objects will someday be ruling the world. A parent is constantly confronted with opposing information on the health or detriment of their child’s playthings. Are Legos a choking hazard? Do the Baby Einstein videos create bovine-eyed, television-obsessed little zombies?

While the answers to the above are, “yes, but start them with Duplo,” and “undoubtedly,” the former graduate students at the MIT Media Lab may provide us with a step in the right direction of creating toys that engage children mentally and physically.

Working with funding from the National Science Foundation and True Ventures, the former students have created a new start-up company, known as Sifteo. Siftables, their first product, are “cookie-sized” computers built to interact with each other through motion-sensing and wireless communication.

In the video, the blocks demonstrate boundless utility. As the blocks interact with each other, music is created, word games are played, and arithmetic is improved upon as if through an oversized, haptic Speak & Math. Portraits can connect with one another in a way formerly unseen outside of Harry Potter, and colors can be mixed with tiny, virtual “paint cans.”

Though a handful of recent studies have brought to light information that may disprove the concept of learning types, the Siftables seems perfect for the little Kinetics and Spacials in your homes. Allowing a child to grasp more abstract concepts through a playful and tangible interface will most certainly elevate Siftables to a place among the best of children’s toys.

Siftables will not be commercially available for a while, but when they do, you can bet they will have an impact.